European Startup and Scaleup Hubs pilot

The European Startup and Scaleup Hubs pilot is an initiative under the Horizon Europe program aimed at enhancing Europe's innovation ecosystem by establishing a connected network of startup and scaleup hubs, specifically targeting deep tech sectors. The opportunity is identified as HORIZON-EIE-2026-02-CONNECT-01, and the call for proposals is currently open with a submission deadline of March 10, 2026. The total budget for this initiative is €20 million, intended for pilot projects that will support approximately 10 to 18 innovation hubs across Europe.

Eligible applicants include organizations that operate as startup and scaleup hubs, represented either by a single legal entity or multiple entities that can include universities, research institutions, and corporate bodies. The consortium must consist of at least ten different hubs representing members from at least ten EU Member States or Associated Countries, with specific mandates for participation from "widening countries." A co-funding requirement exists, requiring at least 50% of project costs to be financed by complementary sources.

The pilot seeks to address the gap in Europe's ability to scale deep tech startups into globally competitive companies, focusing on several critical areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, biotechnology, advanced materials, cleantech, and others. It encourages collaboration and resource-sharing among participating hubs to facilitate the cross-border expansion of deep tech startups.

Each approved hub can receive a substantial grant, with a maximum of €60,000 available for support to third-party startups within their networks. The application process involves a straightforward single-stage submission, emphasizing the submission of comprehensive proposals that demonstrate the hub's capacity to facilitate startup growth, access to resources, and networking opportunities.

Specific performance indicators are set for the pilot phase, including the creation of a minimum number of new startups and successful fundraising rates. This initiative aligns with broader European strategic goals, aiming to solidify Europe's position in global innovation and technology leadership by fostering interconnected ecosystems.

Overall, this funding opportunity represents a crucial move toward integrating various stakeholders in Europe's innovation ecosystem to boost the competitiveness of deep tech sectors while addressing regional disparities in innovation capabilities.

This is a Horizon Europe call for proposals under the Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems (2026.2) with topic identifier HORIZON-EIE-2026-02-CONNECT-01, titled "European Startup and Scaleup Hubs pilot". It is a HORIZON Programme Cofund Action (HORIZON-COFUND) with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG] model grant agreement. The call is currently open for submission with a single-stage deadline model. The opening date was December 11, 2025, and the deadline for submission is March 10, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. The total budget for this topic is 20,000,000 EUR, and it is expected that around 1 grant will be awarded.

The expected outcomes of projects under this topic include: accelerating market expansion for European deep tech startups, establishing pan-European alliances of top-tier startup and scaleup hubs, enabling cross-border access to resources for deep tech startups, enabling more European deep tech startups to scale into globally competitive companies, strengthening less-connected innovation hubs, and mobilizing greater private and public capital into deep tech ventures.

The scope of this action is to pilot a network of approximately 10-18 European Startup & Scaleup Hubs (ESSHs). These hubs should be deeply integrated with research, technology, and higher education institutions, have strong track records in venture building, scaling, and investment attraction, and provide entrepreneurial education. The ESSHs are expected to collaborate across borders to open their ecosystems to non-local startups, foster shared infrastructure and expertise, support pan-European startup development, and bridge regional gaps by integrating less-connected hubs into the network. Particular attention should be paid to enable deep tech spinoffs, startups and scaleups accessing resources, services and contacts not directly available in their local innovation hubs to facilitate the expansion of their operations in the single market.

Selection criteria for ESSHs include: a proven track record in startup creation, scaleup success, venture capital mobilization, and entrepreneurial education; strong integration of local universities, research institutions, and research and technology organizations; sectoral strength in deep tech areas relevant to European strategic sectors; demonstrated ability to federate local innovation ecosystem actors and cross-border collaboration capabilities; access to research and technology infrastructures, facilities, and services; and a strong commitment and strategy on how to link up the activities of the ESSHs closely with the activities of the EIC.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) during the pilot phase include: a minimum of 100 newly supported startups at the network level, a minimum of 50% of supported startups raising seed financing or venture capital, and a minimum of 50 newly supported startups by a hub outside of the startups’ local innovation ecosystem.

The ESSHs should facilitate access to relevant services, structures, and funding opportunities available in Europe, such as those offered by EEN, EDIH, EIT, EIT KICs, and the EIC Scaling Club initiative. Cooperation could also be established with Regional Innovation Valleys, Excellence Hubs, Hubs for Circularity, and Industry 5.0 System Innovation Hubs. The action may be implemented through financial support to third parties, with a maximum amount of EUR 60,000 granted to each third party, or directly by the consortium partners.

General conditions for participation include admissibility conditions related to proposal page limits and layout, eligible countries as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, and other eligible conditions such as the composition of the consortium. The consortium should consist of a network of at least ten hubs from at least ten different Member States or Associated Countries. Participation is limited to a single hub for Member States and Associated Countries with a population not exceeding 35 million and two hubs for those exceeding 35 million. At least two participating hubs must be established in a "widening country". The consortium must provide a single letter of intent indicating the source of the required 50% of complementary funding.

Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D, while submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also described in Annex F. Legal and financial set-up of the grants are detailed in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Application form templates are available in the Submission System, and standard evaluation forms will be used with necessary adaptations. Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide, and Model Grant Agreements (MGA) are available. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 and annexes, the HE Programme Guide, the HE Framework Programme 2021/695, the HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, the EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, rules for legal entity validation, and the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual.

This funding opportunity aims to create a "Champions League" of startup hubs across Europe. It seeks to connect leading and emerging startup ecosystems, particularly in deep tech, to help European startups scale up and compete globally. The EU will fund projects that establish networks of startup hubs, encouraging them to share resources, expertise, and access to markets. The goal is to bridge the innovation gap between Europe and other regions by providing startups with the support they need to grow into successful, globally competitive companies. The funding will support activities like mentoring, access to infrastructure, and connections to investors and corporations.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicants are startup hubs represented by a single legal entity (such as an umbrella organization for a science and technology park, innovation cluster, accelerator, or venture builder) or several legal entities representing actors in the innovation ecosystem (research institutions, higher education institutions, corporates, public authorities, and capital providers).

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Programme Cofund Action, with a HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based model grant agreement. Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants, with a maximum of EUR 60,000 per third party.

Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required. The consortium should consist of a network of at least ten (10) hubs from at least ten (10) different Member States or Associated Countries. There are limitations on the number of hubs per country based on population size, and at least two hubs must be in "widening countries".

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Associated Countries. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also be eligible if they have specific provisions for funding participation in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The program targets the European innovation ecosystems, with a focus on strengthening deep tech capabilities and supporting startups and scaleups. Specific sectors of interest include artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced semiconductors, medical technology, biotechnology, bioeconomy applications, cleantech and energy (including nuclear technology), water and blue tech, security, defense, space, robotics, and advanced materials.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity is open to EU Member States and Associated Countries. The text also mentions "widening countries" as defined under Article 2 of the Horizon Europe regulation.

Project Stage: The project stage targets startup and scaleup hubs, indicating projects that are in the development, validation, demonstration, commercialization, or scale-up phase. The focus is on supporting the growth and scaling of deep tech startups.

Funding Amount: The total budget for the topic is EUR 20,000,000. The indicative number of grants to be awarded is around 1.

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants. They may also provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants, up to EUR 60,000 per third party.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rate cannot be determined from the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: Yes, the consortium must provide a single letter of intent indicating the source of 50% of complementary funding (e.g., national and/or regional funding, EU funding, or private investments).

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-EIE-2026-02-CONNECT-01, aims to establish a network of European Startup and Scaleup Hubs (ESSHs) to accelerate the growth of deep tech startups and scaleups. The call seeks to bridge the innovation gap between Europe and other world regions by creating a connected network of leading and emerging startup support structures. These hubs, deeply integrated with research, technology, and higher education institutions, will collaborate across borders to provide startups with access to talent, corporates, capital, infrastructure, and mentoring. The selected ESSHs will form a "Champions League of startup hubs," committed to supporting each other's startups and sharing best practices. Eligible applicants are startup hubs represented by a single legal entity or several legal entities representing actors in the innovation ecosystem. A consortium of at least ten hubs from different EU Member States or Associated Countries is required, with specific criteria for hubs in "widening countries." The total budget for the topic is EUR 20,000,000, and the indicative project duration is two years. A 50% co-funding requirement is in place, and beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties in the form of grants, up to EUR 60,000 per third party. The application process is a single-stage submission, with a deadline of March 10, 2026. The call aligns with the EU's strategic vision to strengthen deep tech capabilities, increase regional innovation cohesion, and support the growth of globally competitive companies.